With the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s an important time to think about water safety.

Sadly, there have been a number of accidental drownings of British citizens abroad already this year, but knowing the risks can help prevent others from happening. That’s why RLSS UK, in partnership with ABTA – The Travel Association, are raising awareness of how to stay safe in and around the water on holiday, particularly in unfamiliar settings. 

Check out the advice below.

Be prepared – practice your skills and pack brightly coloured swimwear

It’s important to be realistic about your swimming ability, as it creates an added risk to you and your family if you overestimate your swimming skills while in a new environment. Before you go away, try to visit your local swimming pool and check your limits to avoid getting out of your depth when on holiday.  

You might not be aware that certain colours of swimwear, like blue, grey and white, are less visible underwater than others, and can act as a camouflage. This means that if you, or your child, were to get into difficulty you may not be seen by lifeguards or others. When getting ready for your holiday, make sure to pack brightly coloured swimwear with neon colours such as bright yellow, orange and green - making you a poolside fashionista while also enjoying water safely. 

Think safety at the pool and beach and keep children within arm’s reach

When visiting local pools and beaches, you should look out for potential hazards in and around the water and read local safety signage/flags if available. 

Never enter the water from a height, instead enter the water slowly and carefully remaining within standing depth to reduce the impact unknown objects have in the water.

The best way to stay safe in and around water on your holiday is to visit lifeguarded pools and beaches as they will be experts on the conditions in that area. 

Always supervise your children in and near the water and keep them within arm’s reach. Even if you choose a lifeguarded beach or pool, you should always keep an eye on your loved ones.

Do not enter any body of water if you have consumed alcohol. 1 in 4 drowning incidents in the UK are alcohol-related, but this risk remains high wherever you are in the world. If you are going out drinking, plan your route home avoiding waterways and keep hydrated. 

Supervision and sticking together 

At RLSS UK, we strongly suggest that you do not enter water alone. It’s safer to swim in groups or at least have someone watching you in case you get into difficulty.  If you plan to swim alone, ask someone to watch you. That way, you’ll have someone to raise the alarm in case of emergency.  

While on holiday, keep an eye on your children at all times, and stay close enough to assist them should they need it- children can drown quickly and silently. Don’t leave them with young siblings and make sure you have all the kit, like towels, sunscreen, clean clothes, you need after a child has had fun in the water to ensure they’re never left alone.

If you are staying in a villa or an apartment that has its own private pool, make sure that doors are secured to stop young children accessing these areas unsupervised. When going away as a group make sure you know which adult is supervising children, especially at times like unpacking or getting ready to go out when you might be more distracted.

What to do if you get into trouble

It’s important to discuss water safety with your children at the start of your holiday so they can learn and understand the potential dangers. This includes knowing  the local emergency service number in case it is required. For example, in EU countries their free of charge emergency line is 112. 

If you get into difficulty after entering water, float on your back and shout for help. If you are witnessing someone in difficulty, call for emergency services and throw the person something that floats to support them. 

Finally, remember the RLSS UK Holiday Water Safety Code

Stop & Think
Stay Together 
In an emergency: 
Know the number - Call 112 in the EU
Float

About ABTA

ABTA – The Travel Association is for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. For 75 years we’ve have helped our members run successful travel businesses and provided travellers with advice, guidance and support - including advice and guidance in health and safety matters on swim safety, and our advice can be found at: abta.com/swimsafe. Learn more about ABTA at abta.com